Norfolk environmentalist calls for UK's waterworks to be 'nationalised'
The Water (Special Measures) Bill plans to ensure companies that damage the environment and fail customers face tougher action
A local environmentalist is calling for the UK's water and sewage systems to be brought back into 'public hands' - as part of a wider effort to clean up Norfolk's waterways.
It comes after the Government yesterday announced that bosses of water companies could face up to two years in prison or heavy fines, if they obstruct environmental inspections.
"There are a range of issues within the system"
Gary Champion represents the Sewell Ward on Norwich City Council:
"We have really old pipes which are leaking. There are a range of issues within the system which are not being addressed. Until we take a holistic and full approach of the entire network, we're not going to address any of the main issues.
"I'm incredibly sceptical that anyone is going to end up in prison. I have got no doubt that some heavier fines are coming - but they match up poorly to the shareholder take home."
What is the Government proposing?
The Water (Special Measures) Bill, introduced to Parliament on Wednesday, will hand new powers to Ofwat and the Environment Agency to take action on companies damaging the environment and failing customers.
The Government said the current enforcement system is insufficient to hold firms accountable for widespread illegality in the sector, citing that only three individuals have been criminally prosecuted by the Environment Agency without appeal since privatisation.
Under the Bill, harsher penalties for law-breaking will be introduced, including jail sentences of up to two years for executives who fail to cooperate or obstruct Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate investigations.
The burden of proof in civil cases will be lowered so that the Environment Agency can bring forward criminal charges against bosses more easily.
Regulators will also be empowered to ban bonus payments to water bosses if they fail to meet high standards to protect the environment, their consumers and their company's finances.
The new Labour Government has already announced initial measures to tackle pollution but this is its first major move to deliver on its manifesto pledges to reform the broken water system.
It comes as part of plans for a broader reset of the sector over this parliament, including legislation to speed up sewage infrastructure upgrades and to address how the water industry is run so that it can still attract investment and talent, officials indicated.
"Fundamental regulatory reform and speeding up investment"
A Water UK spokesman said: "We agree with the Government that the water system is broken. Fixing it requires the Government to deliver the two things which it has promised: fundamental regulatory reform and speeding up investment.
"Ofwat needs to back our £105 billion investment plan in full to secure our water supplies, enable economic growth and end sewage spilling into our rivers and seas."
"Water executives will no longer line their own pockets"
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: "The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas.
"Under this Government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth.
"If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time."